In this world of political correctness Torts is 100% correct. When you put a uniform on you're representing a team and in this case a country. What you do on your own time is your own business. March and stand up for whatever cause you're passionate about. What you don't do is make the team all about you. Especially, when you're getting paid to represent that team and play a game.

Management needs to show some backbone and let them know either you stand when the National anthem is playing or you will sit.,If you are not winning games and you are sitting futility will soon set in.

No reason the NFL has to bow to this dumb ass jock who could not legitimately enter U of Nevada because of his poor academic record.

I taught Computer Technology at college level for 20 years. Most of the athletes were freaking simpletons!

When I say simpletons I mean they did not have a basic grasp of Standard American English, although they grew up in America.

Beyond addition and subtraction math did not exist.

Trying to teaching them the Excel Spreadsheet Program was a venture into the abyss.

Yet this AH is making millions for being a mediocre QB at the pro level.

The opposition to Kaepernick rests on a faulty premise and a confusion of terms: Many who oppose Kaepernick because of patriotism are really opposing him because of nationalism. There is a big difference between nationalism and patriotism. Nationalism is the uncritical celebration of one’s nation regardless of its moral or political virtue. It is summarized in the saying, “My country right or wrong.” If one has a problem with America, one is told to lump it or leave it, or to find another country that works better.

Nationalism is a harmful belief that can lead a country down a dangerous spiral of arrogance, or off the precipice of political narcissism. Nationalism harbors the belief that no matter what one’s country does, it must be supported. If a nation practices racism, homophobia, sexism, xenophobia or the like, it must be celebrated and accepted at all costs. Patriotism is a bigger, more uplifting virtue. Patriotism is the belief in the best values of one’s country, and the pursuit of the best means to realize those values. If the nation strays, then it must be corrected. The patriot is the person who, spotting the need for change, says so clearly and loudly, without hate or rancor. The nationalist is the person who spurns such correction and would rather take refuge in bigotry than fight it. It is the nationalists who wrap themselves in a flag and loudly proclaim themselves as patriots.

The Constitution gives him the right to act accordingly. The NFL and the Team have no rules or restrictions in place to enforce standing for the anthem and the flag. However, the issue most people have is the venue he chose to voice his protest. They too have every right to express their opinions and dissatisfaction according to their rights in the Constitution.

"There is a greater purpose...that purpose is team. Winning, losing, playing hard, playing well, doing it for each other, winning the right way, winning the right way is a very important thing to me... Championships are won by teams who love one another, who respect one another, and play for and support one another." ~ Coach Tom Coughlin

Management needs to show some backbone and let them know either you stand when the National anthem is playing or you will sit.,If you are not winning games and you are sitting futility will soon set in.

No reason the NFL has to bow to this dumb ass jock who could not legitimately enter U of Nevada because of his poor academic record.

I taught Computer Technology at college level for 20 years. Most of the athletes were freaking simpletons!

When I say simpletons I mean they did not have a basic grasp of Standard American English, although they grew up in America.

Beyond addition and subtraction math did not exist.

Trying to teaching them the Excel Spreadsheet Program was a venture into the abyss.

Yet this AH is making millions for being a mediocre QB at the pro level.

I'm cynical about CK's motives here, but he has every right to do what he has been doing just as those who thank Jesus for helping them score that touchdown or hit that home run or point to the heavens after every catch or hit have the right to do the same. That CK can kneel in protest during the National Anthem is what makes this country so great.

What is his motive? Read the following. If you think it is too long. Just read the last paragraph.

TO KAPERNICK FROM RETIRED U.S. ARMY LT. COL. ALLEN WEST...........REMARKABLE SPEECH...................

Message from a non-oppressed black man to Colin Kaepernick…

By Allen West1:44pm August 28, 2016

If there’s one thing I live for, it’s football season, especially college. Saturday night I was enjoying a fantastic game between Charleston Southern University and North Dakota State University. The game went into overtime and ended with the Bison of NDSU winning 24-17. However, as I watched this thrilling game, it was an item on the ESPN news ticker that disturbed me — to which I see a need to respond to this “teachable moment.”

As reported yesterday, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the National Anthem in Friday’s pre-season game against Green Bay because he was protesting “black oppression” in the United States. The Niners went on to lose.

The NFL issued a statement that said players are encouraged but not required to stand for the national anthem. Hmm, this is the same NFL that refused to allow the Dallas Cowboys to wear a helmet decal in honor of the fallen Dallas Police officers gunned down on Thursday July 7th.

This is the same NFL that said nothing when players from the St. Louis Cardinals displayed the false narrative symbol of “hands up, dont shoot” — which we know didn’t happen. I find it rather interesting that the NFL has no issue disrespecting law enforcement officers but only “encourages” players to respect the symbol of our nation, the American flag, and our anthem, the Star Spangled Banner.

However, I would recommend a simple scripture from the wise King Solomon for Mr. Kaepernick, Proverbs 17:28 (NIV): “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”

Or, as the old folks down South would say, “best for a stupid person to keep their mouth shut and not open it and let everyone know they are.”

Mr. Kaepernick, a bi-racial young man adopted and raised by white parents, claims America is oppressing blacks at a time when we have a black, bi racial president who was twice elected. We’ve had two black attorneys general and currently have a black secretary of homeland security, along with a black national security advisor. Here in Dallas our police chief, whom I know, is an outstanding black leader. The officer in Milwaukee who shot the armed assailant after issuing an order to drop his weapon was black. Is Mr. Kaepernick following suit and cherry-picking what he terms “oppression?” First of all, let me clarify to you sir, you are a multi-millionaire “one-percenter” just because you can throw a ball and kiss your biceps. Men like Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Oscar Robertson, Ernie Davis, and Bernard King and Condredge Halloway of my alma mater were athletes who knew of oppression. You sir may certainly have the right to sit upon your “fourth point of contact” when the National Anthem is played but never forget, you live in a nation that has provided you the privilege to have that right.

My story is one I wish to share. My dad was a corporal in the U.S. Army and served during World War II. He was born in 1920 and knew oppression. Yet, when he sat me down on the steps of our home, 651 Kennesaw Ave NE in Atlanta, he shared with me that there was no greater honor or privilege, than to wear the uniform of these United States. Perhaps that ‘s why his first and middle sons, along with his grandson, are all U.S. combat veterans, just like Dad. Herman West Sr. was not a victim, and he raised men who would never allow anyone to suppress or oppress them. Perhaps you should stop trying to make victims and admonish people, black people, to be victors — try it, and you may find that more satisfying than your insidious action and word vomiting.

If you want to know about oppression of blacks in America, past and present, how about you ask Rep. Nancy Pelosi of the San Fran Bay Area about the policies that decimated the black family? Maybe you can cross the Bay over to Oakland and ask Rep. Barbara Lee about the 13 to15 million black babies killed since 1973, and ask her who is Margaret Sanger?

Or perhaps you can ask the two California senators, Boxer and Feinstein, about who doesn’t support better education opportunities for black children in the inner cities — school choice, vouchers, charter schools, home schooling.

Perhaps you didn’t know Barack Obama was the one who cancelled the DC school voucher program for deserving young black children — talk about oppression. Is that something you’re willing to do, or is it just too difficult?

You should look at who’s been controlling the communities and cities where blacks live. This isn’t not about what America has done; it’s about what a certain group, a political party has done. And your somewhat backhanded comment towards our law enforcement officers — well, wonder how many times San Francisco PD has protected you?

Here is the deal young man. My recommendation is that you apologize. Be a stand up fella and admit you made a very stupid comment. Humbly state that you do realize how very special this country is and the opportunities it has afforded you — and many others. You should take that stand and apologize to all of those who are currently serving in our Armed Forces and those veterans who’ve been willing to make that last full measure of devotion. You see, when the National Anthem is played, it has a very special meaning to us — maybe you should take a hiatus and go over to Helmand Province in Afghanistan and spend a week and understand why. Go over and throw a football with the men and women who enable you to earn those millions of dollars.

The American flag has a very touching meaning for those of us for whom it will drape our coffin — as it was for my Dad…and it will be for me. That song defines who we are as a proud and exceptional people. This is a land where so many dream of coming to and earning the title of American. Your actions were shameful, disgusting, despicable and disrespectful.

You do have a right and a freedom of expression. But know, there are consequences to your ignorant action, which is what it was.

When the National Anthem is played, I salute because I am a black man born and raised in the inner city afforded the opportunity for greatness in my own right. May you seek God’s forgiveness and find humility, because we, the people are not going to forget what you did and said.

THIS MIGHT EXPLAIN SOME OF HIS ACTIONS.....

The media won't tell us this. Turns out Kaepernick is engaged to a Muslim woman who is a BLM activist. In the off season he converted to Islam. She appears to be radicalizing him by looking at his Instagram and other accounts. He is a VERY angry man and should be watched. His actions now are making sense!!

As I said on another thread, the media is exploiting this beyond my capacity to stomach it. Would anyone of us even know what Kaepernick was doing, and why, it if not for the media blowing it completely out of proportion? The answer is easy and it is "NO". It is a non violent protest. Whether we agree with him, or not, whether his motives are pure, or not, we should all embrace the concept of non violent protest. That is one of our greatest freedoms and the moment we say that citizens HAVE TO stand during the National Anthem or face punishment, then we are no longer free. Those of us that study history, and there are many of us here, know all too well that the "adoring crowds" that greeted Stalin, Hitler, and Mao did so under the threat of death. Sure, there were zealots that embraced the tyrants, but there were countless others that did what they did so their children would not be taken away from them, their wives would not be raped and murdered, and they would not die a slow death in a forced labor camp. We all know that's NOT patriotism. That's tyranny putting on a show while you have a gun to your head. I would rather live in a country where half the population sat during the National Anthem than one where there was 100% participation because it was made mandatory. It's very easy to tell between the two which is the country where people are free. And with that, may I never hear of Colin Kaepernick again.

What is his motive? Read the following. If you think it is too long. Just read the last paragraph.

TO KAPERNICK FROM RETIRED U.S. ARMY LT. COL. ALLEN WEST...........REMARKABLE SPEECH...................

Message from a non-oppressed black man to Colin Kaepernick…

By Allen West1:44pm August 28, 2016

If there’s one thing I live for, it’s football season, especially college. Saturday night I was enjoying a fantastic game between Charleston Southern University and North Dakota State University. The game went into overtime and ended with the Bison of NDSU winning 24-17. However, as I watched this thrilling game, it was an item on the ESPN news ticker that disturbed me — to which I see a need to respond to this “teachable moment.”

As reported yesterday, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the National Anthem in Friday’s pre-season game against Green Bay because he was protesting “black oppression” in the United States. The Niners went on to lose.

The NFL issued a statement that said players are encouraged but not required to stand for the national anthem. Hmm, this is the same NFL that refused to allow the Dallas Cowboys to wear a helmet decal in honor of the fallen Dallas Police officers gunned down on Thursday July 7th.

This is the same NFL that said nothing when players from the St. Louis Cardinals displayed the false narrative symbol of “hands up, dont shoot” — which we know didn’t happen. I find it rather interesting that the NFL has no issue disrespecting law enforcement officers but only “encourages” players to respect the symbol of our nation, the American flag, and our anthem, the Star Spangled Banner.

However, I would recommend a simple scripture from the wise King Solomon for Mr. Kaepernick, Proverbs 17:28 (NIV): “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”

Or, as the old folks down South would say, “best for a stupid person to keep their mouth shut and not open it and let everyone know they are.”

Mr. Kaepernick, a bi-racial young man adopted and raised by white parents, claims America is oppressing blacks at a time when we have a black, bi racial president who was twice elected. We’ve had two black attorneys general and currently have a black secretary of homeland security, along with a black national security advisor. Here in Dallas our police chief, whom I know, is an outstanding black leader. The officer in Milwaukee who shot the armed assailant after issuing an order to drop his weapon was black. Is Mr. Kaepernick following suit and cherry-picking what he terms “oppression?” First of all, let me clarify to you sir, you are a multi-millionaire “one-percenter” just because you can throw a ball and kiss your biceps. Men like Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Oscar Robertson, Ernie Davis, and Bernard King and Condredge Halloway of my alma mater were athletes who knew of oppression. You sir may certainly have the right to sit upon your “fourth point of contact” when the National Anthem is played but never forget, you live in a nation that has provided you the privilege to have that right.

My story is one I wish to share. My dad was a corporal in the U.S. Army and served during World War II. He was born in 1920 and knew oppression. Yet, when he sat me down on the steps of our home, 651 Kennesaw Ave NE in Atlanta, he shared with me that there was no greater honor or privilege, than to wear the uniform of these United States. Perhaps that ‘s why his first and middle sons, along with his grandson, are all U.S. combat veterans, just like Dad. Herman West Sr. was not a victim, and he raised men who would never allow anyone to suppress or oppress them. Perhaps you should stop trying to make victims and admonish people, black people, to be victors — try it, and you may find that more satisfying than your insidious action and word vomiting.

If you want to know about oppression of blacks in America, past and present, how about you ask Rep. Nancy Pelosi of the San Fran Bay Area about the policies that decimated the black family? Maybe you can cross the Bay over to Oakland and ask Rep. Barbara Lee about the 13 to15 million black babies killed since 1973, and ask her who is Margaret Sanger?

Or perhaps you can ask the two California senators, Boxer and Feinstein, about who doesn’t support better education opportunities for black children in the inner cities — school choice, vouchers, charter schools, home schooling.

Perhaps you didn’t know Barack Obama was the one who cancelled the DC school voucher program for deserving young black children — talk about oppression. Is that something you’re willing to do, or is it just too difficult?

You should look at who’s been controlling the communities and cities where blacks live. This isn’t not about what America has done; it’s about what a certain group, a political party has done. And your somewhat backhanded comment towards our law enforcement officers — well, wonder how many times San Francisco PD has protected you?

Here is the deal young man. My recommendation is that you apologize. Be a stand up fella and admit you made a very stupid comment. Humbly state that you do realize how very special this country is and the opportunities it has afforded you — and many others. You should take that stand and apologize to all of those who are currently serving in our Armed Forces and those veterans who’ve been willing to make that last full measure of devotion. You see, when the National Anthem is played, it has a very special meaning to us — maybe you should take a hiatus and go over to Helmand Province in Afghanistan and spend a week and understand why. Go over and throw a football with the men and women who enable you to earn those millions of dollars.

The American flag has a very touching meaning for those of us for whom it will drape our coffin — as it was for my Dad…and it will be for me. That song defines who we are as a proud and exceptional people. This is a land where so many dream of coming to and earning the title of American. Your actions were shameful, disgusting, despicable and disrespectful.

You do have a right and a freedom of expression. But know, there are consequences to your ignorant action, which is what it was.

When the National Anthem is played, I salute because I am a black man born and raised in the inner city afforded the opportunity for greatness in my own right. May you seek God’s forgiveness and find humility, because we, the people are not going to forget what you did and said.

THIS MIGHT EXPLAIN SOME OF HIS ACTIONS.....

The media won't tell us this. Turns out Kaepernick is engaged to a Muslim woman who is a BLM activist. In the off season he converted to Islam. She appears to be radicalizing him by looking at his Instagram and other accounts. He is a VERY angry man and should be watched. His actions now are making sense!!

I didn't question his right to say these things, Jim. I question the accuracy of his statements. This is what freedom of speech is about...getting people's views out in the open so they can be discussed people can better understand each other.

I'm a historian, a human rights activist, and a teacher, Jim. This us what I do. I check facts and I challenge ignorance.

I didn't question his right to say these things, Jim. I question the accuracy of his statements. This is what freedom of speech is about...getting people's views out in the open so they can be discussed people can better understand each other.

I'm a historian, a human rights activist, and a teacher, Jim. This us what I do. I check facts and I challenge ignorance.

As I'm sure would be done with the statements made by Kaepernick, who is perpetuating a patently false narrative created by BLM.